Three area residents have been arrested on drug charges following surveillance activity by the Governor's Task Force, said Delaware State Police spokesman Master Cpl. Gary Fournier.

The arrests took place at approximately 11:50 p.m. Monday as task force members were investigating reports of drug activity in the area of South State Street and Cooper Road, Woods Manor.

Police spotted a white pickup drove onto Cooper Road and turn around as if to leave, but the driver instead parked and shut off the lights, Fournier said. Officers removed the three persons from the truck and conducted a search, which turned up 22 bags of heroin weighing approximately 0.55 grams, amphetamine and dextroamphetamine pills, digital scales, $734 in suspected drug proceeds and additional drug paraphernalia.

Heather M. Ridgway, 31, of Dover and Amber K. Preskenis, 28, of Camden, were charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, second-degree conspiracy and possession with intent to deliver heroin. Ridgway also was charged with possession of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence.

Both women were committed to the Sussex Correctional Institute; Ridgway on a $12,500 secured bond, Preskenis on an $11,000 secured bond.

A third person, Darnell R. Eaddy, 23, of Dover, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and released on a criminal summons.